Marigolds
Marigolds can also be sown in the vegetable garden as an edible flower
- Season
- Sow seeds in spring
- Name
Calendula officinalis
- Common Name
- Marigolds
- Description
Zingy yellows and oranges will brighten up your garden in the summer if you sow some marigolds in spring.
Growing Tips
Growing conditions
Marigolds like to grow in well-drained soil in full sun.
When to grow
Sow from March to May and they will flower from summer to autumn.
What you need
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A packet of Calendula seeds (varieties that can be sown from March include ‘Fiesta Gitana’, ‘Daisy Mixed’, ‘Greenheart Orange’ and ‘Lemon Zest’)
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Gardening gloves
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Rake
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Trowel
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Plant label
How to grow
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Marigolds can be sown straight in the ground where they are going to flower, so make sure the soil you sow is weed free by using a trowel to remove the weeds.
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Rake the soil to a fine tilth (a fine, crumbly texture) and make some drills 12mm deep. The rows should be spaced about 30cm apart. If you made a measuring stick from last month’s activities you could use this to help you.
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Sprinkle the seed in carefully and cover them up with soil. If the plants are crowded as they grow, thin them out to about 30 cm apart.
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The petals from marigolds are edible and can be added to salads – why don’t you try them?
